What Does the Western Sahara Conflict Mean for Africa? (December 18, 2025, Council on Foreign Relations)
After a decades-long cease-fire crumbled in 2020, Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front resumed fighting over the disputed Western Sahara.
'Additional risks may arise': Armenian foreign intelligence report (January 23, 2025, JAMnews)
Azerbaijan is unlikely to launch large-scale military actions, but escalations along Armenia’s borders remain a distinct possibility. This is highlighted in the first public report from Armenia‘s Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS).
Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Why Qatar is such a good negotiator (January 16, 2025, Deutsche Welle)
US, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators have brokered the latest ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel in Doha. What makes this small, resource-rich Gulf state so effective in diplomatic negotiations?
The countries of Southeast Asia work together to quash dissent (January 3, 2025, The Washington Post) (Subscription required)
The 10 countries of Southeast Asia hold fast to a few principles — noninterference in one another’s internal affairs key among them. But certain cases showcase a new kind of cooperation in the region, where governments are helping one another intimidate, arrest and extradite government critics in support of their allies’ domestic agendas.
Pakistan’s bet on Taliban backfires as violence surges (January 17, 2025, Financial Times)
Islamabad had hoped that supporting the Afghan Taliban through its two-decade insurgency would buy it leverage and security along their shared 2,600km border after Nato-led forces departed. But with violence surging to a nine-year high, Islamabad’s hope that the new regime would prove a more co-operative ally than their US-backed predecessor has been replaced by concern about security.
Starlink in Yemen: Security Threat or an opportunity? (January 16, 2025, Carnegie Endowment)
The unexpected announcement that Starlink will launch its first satellite connectivity services in Yemen has sparked divisions over the perceived threat to Yemeni sovereignty, and potential to deepen ongoing political and economic crises.
The world should not forget Afghanistan (December 29, 2024, Al Jazeera)
In a world where crises compete for attention, Afghanistan, once at the forefront of international aid and media coverage, now sits in the shadows. The multiple crises that plague Afghanistan have barely registered in international media headlines, and yet they persist. Afghans endure worsening humanitarian, climate and economic crises, characterised by severe poverty, food insecurity and dwindling aid.
Analysis: Chinese politics enters a potentially stormy year (January 16, 2025, Nikkei Asia) (Subscription required)
After a long lull, Chinese politics is entering a turbulent phase, with political, economic and social policy discord deepening between mainstream and nonmainstream party factions. Xi Jinping loyalists reject the silent majority's calls for a new policy direction.
Timeline: How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat (January 20, 2025, 6abc Action News)
If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that's probably because it has, at least if you're measuring via internet time. What's now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
A Chinese actor was abducted from Thailand. His swift return has sparked hopes – and fears – back home (January 15, 2025, CNN)
The actor’s subsequent safe return to China has spurred hundreds of Chinese families to call on their government to help find and free their loved ones, who they believe are still trapped in the scam centers. Some have been missing for months or even years.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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